By Johnny Burrow

0

10-Mar-2013 06:29:00

The Rossoneri assistant coach has stated that he believes the Italian striker is vital to the team's success and that his absence against Barcelona would present a major problem

AC Milan assistant coach Mauro Tassotti has highlighted Giampaolo Pazzini's importance to the Italian side after he scored in the Rossoneri's 2-0 victory over Genoa but limped off with a suspected bone fracture.

The injury blow comes ahead of the Serie A side's second-leg clash with Barcelona, which they go into with a 2-0 lead from the first leg.

“There is a while to go before the Barcelona game, so we will see what conditions Pazzini and Philippe Mexes are in," Tassotti told a press conference.

“If Pazzini isn’t fit, then it would be a problem. He was in great shape and scoring important goals. There are other players, but it’s better to have everyone at your disposal to make the best choice."

The assistant coach also said that the side were looking forward to the atmosphere at Camp Nou, but refused to comment on the result.

“The environment will be fiery, but it’s not the first game we have played in front of 90,000 people. The team is in good shape and we are happy to be playing a Champions League match like this.